Material handling mechanism



l/vvE/v-roR Nils D. L ev/n April 16, 1935. N. D. LEVIN MATERIAL HANDLING MECHANISM Original Filed A ril 50, 1950 Patented Apr. 16, 1935 UNITED STATE 1,997,593 MATERIAL HANDLING MECHANISM Nils D. Levin, Columbus, Ohio, assignor to The Jeffrey Manufacturing Company, a corpcration of Ohio Original application April 30, 1930, Serial No.

448,626. Divided and this application April 23, 1932, Serial N0. 607,179. In Canada July 21,

4 Claims. (Cl. 1983) The present invention relates to a loading machine, and particularly to a machine of this class adapted to be moved about a mine over the mine tracks and positioned thereon to. load out material from the various workings.

The general characteristics of the machine according to the present invention are: A truck mounted discharge conveyor having a receiving end adapted to be positioned in proximity to the mine'track and a delivery end adapted to deliver at elevated points to the rear of the truck, the conveyor being swingable relative to the truck about both vertical and horizontal axes; a gathering conveyor having its delivery end pivoted to and above the receiving end of the dis charge. conveyor for swinging movement in vertical and horizontal planes relative to the lat-' ter and for tilting movement about its own longitudinal axis; a pony truck adapted to-be posiconveyor supporting means over the mine tracks.

The object of the invention is theprovision of an improved and efficient pony truck for combination with such loading apparatus.- 1 7 Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter, the novel features and combinations being set forth in the appended claims;

The present application is a division of my co-pending application, Serf No. 448,626; filed April 30, '1930, for an improvement in Material handling mechanism. r

In the accompanying drawing Figs. '1 and 2 are side elevations respectively of the rear and front ends of a loading machine of the type to which my improved pony truck is-particularly adapted; and I Fig. 3 is a plan view of the pony truck shown in elevation in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is an elevational View of the bolster.

The loading machine illustrated comprises generally a discharge conveyor A and a gathering conveyor'B. The discharge conveyor A may be substantially the same (withsome additions, as will hereinafter appear) as in the pit car loader described and claimed in my co-pending application, Ser. No. 386,647, filed August 1'7, l929,'in the United States Patent Office. Only abrief description of this discharge. conveyor unit is deemed necessary. v

As shown in Fig. 1, a truck frame 26 is provided with'wheels 25, 22 adapted to travel on a mine track 23. Mounted on the truck frame 20 is a supporting frame 24 for pivotal movement about a vertical axis relatively to the truck frame 2!). a i

The delivery end 21 of the discharge conveyor A is pivotally mounted on the frame 24 on the axis 28 and rests on a bolster 29 which is vertically adjustable on threaded rods 3t depending from the frame of the delivery end 21.

An electric motor 32 mounted on thesupporting frame 24 drives a counter-shaft 33 by means of the sprocket chain 34. An idler 35 engages the sprocket chain 34 to hold it clear of a winding drum E3 and its control appliances. A hoisting rope 159 is connected to and wound on the winding drum 63. Power transmission mechanism'is connected between the shaft 33 and the winding drum 53 and is controlled by suitable clutch mechanism. By means of a lever 83 the brake 66 may be applied to the hoisting drum 63 and mechanism may be provided at 85 for holding the brake applied so that tension may continue on the rope I69 as hereinafter more fully explained.

On the shaft 45 is a driving sprocket for the truck propelling chain 52 which is guided. around idler sprockets 5 3, 54 and truck propelling sprockets55 and 56 on the axles of the wheels 25 and 22. By means of suitable clutch mechanism, power from the motor 32 through the shaft 65 may be applied to the truck propelling mechanism to transport the entire loading machine along the mine track 23.

The discharge conveyor A comprises a conveyor trough frame 21 pivoted at 26 to the supporting frame 24. The travelling conveyor mechanism on the trough frame 21 may be driven from the motor 32. 7

It will thus be seen that the conveyor A may be swung on a vertical axis relative to the truck frame 20 and also on the horizontal axis 25 relatively to the truck frame 25. The conveyor A may therefore be moved into position where its forward portion 2'!" will be in horizontal position parallel to the mine track 23 and adjacent the same. In this position the rollers l3! may engage the rails of the mine track and assist in supporting the loading machine during operation. The rollers I3I are preferably flanged to co-act with the balls of the rails and brace the forward section 2'!" against lateral movement during operation of the gathering conveyor B. The supporting flanged rollers I 3i may be mounted on horizontal pins I32 in supporting brackets At the forward end of the trough section 21 is pivoted at I33 a frame I35 having a lower plate I34 and an upper plate I39, both secured to the loop-shaped retainer I66 for the pivot rod I65 which extends through the block I28 secured to the under side of the frame of the gathering conveyor B. By means of the pivotal connection at I65 the gathering conveyor may be tilted upwardly or downwardly relatively to the discharge conveyor A. The gathering conveyor B may also be swung laterally relatively to the discharge conveyor on the vertical axis of the pivotal connection at I33 while delivery communication is maintained between the discharge end of the gathering conveyor and the receiving end of the conveyor A. By reason of the loop I66 which embraces the pivot rod I65 a limited tilting movement of the gathering conveyor B on the longitudinal axis of the latter may be secured during lateral swinging loading operation of the gathering conveyor while the flanged wheels I3I are on the mine track to prevent lateral movement 01' the section 21" of the discharge conveyor.

The gathering conveyor B comprises a bottom plate I bent upward at its rear end so as to be adapted to project above the receiving end of the discharge conveyor A. During operation the forward portion of the gathering conveyor rests in horizontal position on the ground in advance of the track 23.

Extending longitudinally of the plate I40 and secured thereto substantially centrally thereof are upper and lower chain guides MI and I42 between which travels the chain I46 which is flexible in planes both parallel and perpendicular to the plate I40. At intervals flights I4'I are secured to the chain I46 to project laterally of the plate I40 so as to propel material therealong and on one side or the other of the chain guiding means depending on the direction of travel of the chain. Extending longitudinally and central- 1y of the plate I 40 is an upright baiile plate I49 at the forward end of which is located an upright post I50 having an upper bifurcated end. At the rear end of the plate I49 is a block I5I in which are mounted on a horizontal transverse axis a pair of sheaves I52.

At the rear end of the gathering conveyor B is journaled a shaft I54 in perpendicular relation to the base plate I40. This shaft at its lower end is connected to a sprocket which meshes with the conveyor chain I42 to drive the latter. To the upper end of the shaft I54 is secured a bevel gear I56 with which meshes a pinion on the rear end .of the shaft I58 journaled in a bearing I59. A motor I60 is mounted on the upper central portion of the frame of the conveyor B with its armature shaft in alinement with the shaft I58 and in driving connection therewith through a coupling I6].

The inclined portion or delivery portion of the gathering conveyor B is provided with upwardly extending side or guard plates I63 to hold the coal or other material on the plate I40 as it travels up the incline, the rearward end of the plate 140 being cut away as indicated at I64 to permit the material to drop readily on to the receiving end of the discharge conveyor trough 27".

Themotor I60 and the motor 32 are each reversible and each is provided with independently operable starting and controlling apparatus. The motor I60 is mounted on the gathering conveyor and moves bodily with the latter while the motor 32 is mounted on the supporting frame 24 and moves bodily with the latter when given a turntable movement relatively to the truck frame 20.

The hoisting rope or cable I69 which extends forwardly from the hoisting drum 63 is reaved about the sheave I25 which is mounted on the cross piece 95 of the frame 89. The rope or cable I69 then extends upwardly and is reaved about the direction sheaves I26 and I2! which are mounted on top of the struts 93 of the frame 80. Thence the rope I69 extends forwardly to and around the sheaves I I4 and the sheaves I52 and is finally connected at I10 to the outer end of the boom II2. Inasmuch as a pair of sheaves is located at I52 there is another pair at II 4, the

latter being mounted on a pin I I3 on the boom or crane jib H2. The rear end of the latter is seated in a socket H0 at the lower end of the casting I01 which is swiveled on an upright axis to brackets on the front side of the frame 00.

A U-shaped frame I I 5 has its forwardly extending arms journaled on the ends of the pin I I3 so as to embrace the pair of sheaves ,I I4 on the outer end of the jib crane II2. Secured to the frame I I5 by means of adjustable nuts I I6 and II! is the threaded end of a tension rod II8 the rear end of which is pivoted at H! to the bracket arm III at the upper end of the casting I61.

The jib H2 is thus supported for swinging movement about the axis defined by the pin I63 and may be vertically adjusted in the socket IIO by means of the nuts H6 and 1.

Upon operating the hoisting drum 63 to exert tension on the rope or cable I68 the gathering conveyor B may be swung upwardly about its trunnions I and in its raised or lowered position the gathering conveyor may be swung laterally about its vertical pivot I33, while delivery communication is always maintained between the rear end of the gathering conveyor and the forward receiving end 21" of the discharge conveyor. It should be understood, however, that during operation of the gathering conveyor the flanged wheels I3I should be in engagement with the rails 23 so as to brace the receiving end 21" of the discharge conveyor against lateral movement relatively to the track 23. Furthermore. during operation of the gathering conveyor the forward portion of the plate I40 rests on the floor or ground in advance of the track 23 in horizontal position. To secure a gathering operation of the conveyor B the rope or cable I 69 is disconnected entirely from the sheaves I52, II4. I21. I26, and I25 and is extended around a portable sheave connected to a fixed anchorage with the free end of the rope or cable connected to the upper bifurcated end of the upright post I 50. Now upon. operating the winding drum 63 to exert a pull or draught on the rope I 65 the gathering conveyor may be swung laterally on the pivot I33 while a limited tilting movement on the longitudinal axis of the gathering conveyor is permitted by reason of the loose connections at the trunnions I65 shown in 2. Such tilting movement will enable the advancing edge of the plate I40 to exert a more efficient scrapin action on the surface from which the material is being gathered.

When the fixed anchorage is located on that side of the machine opposite to the hoisting drum 7 63 the rope I69'may be passed around the sheave I22 mounted on the bracket I 28, so as to guide the rope transversely of the machine to the anchorage. By means of this arrangement the gathering conveyor may be swung in the opposite direction or anti-clockwise when viewed in plan.

Fortransporting the loading machine from place to place I have provided the pony truck shown in Figs. 2' and 3. This truck comprises the longitudinal frame members III and I12 mounted on axles I13 and I14 on the ends of which are journaled the flanged wheels I15. On

a cross member I16'of the truck frame is centrally pivoted a bolster I11 on a vertical pin I18. This bolsteris shown in plan inFig. 3 and in'elevation in'Fig. 4. j

The longitudinal side frame member I12 is provided with a series of perforations at I19 in which are adapted to fit stop or abutment pins I8I and I82 connected by a chain I80 for the convenience of handling and intermediate its ends this chain may be welded at I88 to the bolster to preventloss. Inasmuch as the bolster I11 is movable on the vertical axis of the pin I18 in a plane immediately above the top of the frame member I12 the pins I8I and I82 will act as abutments to limit the angular movement of the bolster I11. When the stop pins I8I and I82 are placed in the end holes I19 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 the bolster will have its maximum angular limited swinging movement but when the stop pins are located closer to the transverse frame member I16 the limited angular swinging movement will be less.

The gathering conveyor B at a point to the rear of its center of gravity and preferably directly beneath the electric motor I68, as shown in Fig. 2, is provided with a transverse inverted cup-like member I83 which is adapted to fit over a registering raised portion I11 of the bolster I11, so that wh en the pony truck is in the posi-' tion shown in Fig. 2 relative swinging of the conveyor B will force swinging of the bolster I11 on the pivot at I18, such swinging being limited by the stop pins I8I and I82 if inserted in two of the holes I19. Inasmuch as the member I83 is cup-shaped it affords an elongated socket having end walls or abutments fitting over the ends of the registering raised portion I11 on the bolster I11. Consequently when the gathering conveyor is mounted on the pony truck displacement therefrom laterally will be prevented. That is to say, the pivotal connection between the inverted cupshaped member I83 and the bottom of the gathering conveyor B co-acts with the ends of the elongated socket I83 and the ends of the raised portion I11 and thepivotal connection at I18 to prevent lateral movement of the gathering conveyor relatively to the pony truck.

After the material in advance of the track 23 has been gathered and loaded the rope or cable I68 is re-connected to the jib frame H2 and the hoisting drum I63 operated to lift the gathering conveyor sufiiciently to permit movement of the pony truck under the same. When the inverted cup-shaped member I83 is let down onto the elongated support I11 to fit over the latter the forward portion of the gathering'conveyor in advance of the pivot I18 will over-balance the rear portion of the gathering conveyor sufiiciently to effect lifting of the receiving section 21" of the discharge conveyor up off the track to the position shown in the drawing. In other words, the over-balancing effect will cause the trunnion connections at I65 to lift the flanged wheels I3I off the track 23 so that during transportation of the entire loading machine to another place the discharge conveyor A will be free to swing on its vertical axis relative to the truck 28 and the gathering conveyor will be free to swing on the vertical axis I18 relatively to the pony truck while the brake 66 holds the hoisting drum 63 stationary and the hoisting rope or cable I68 supports the gathering conveyor in position where it will have ample clearance from the upper side of the pony truck. When the loading machine is then transported around curved portions of the track 23 the discharge conveyor may swing on its vertical axis relative to the truck 28, the gathering conveyor may swing on its vertical axis I18 relatively to the pony truck and the jib frame may swing relatively to the frame 88 on the vertical axis I03. The limiting stop pins I8I and I82 will limit the angular movement of the gathering conveyor relative to the pony truck thereby compelling the discharge conveyor A to take its .share of the desirable swing on its upright axis relative to the truck 20.

Obviously those skilled in the art may make various changes in the details and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the. claims hereto appended, and I wish therefore not to be restricted to the precise construction herein disclosed.

Having thus described and shown an embodiment of my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a loading machine, the combination with a main self-propelling truck, of a supplemental truck spaced from said main truck, a sectional conveyor comprising front and rear sections, means for mounting the rear section of said conveyor on said main truck for free swinging movements relatively thereto on an upright axis, means for mounting the front section on said supplemental truck for free swinging movements relatively thereto on an upright axis, a free pivotal connection between said sections and intermediate the trucks for relative swinging movements between the latter on an upright axis, and means for limiting the swinging movement of the section on the supplemental truck, whereby to limit buckling of the sections about their pivotal connection during forward propulsion by said main truck.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a main self-propelling truck, of a supplemental truck spaced from the main truck, a bolster freely pivoted to said supplemental truck on an upright axis, means limiting the swinging range of said bolster relative to said supplemental truck, a horizontally extending sectional conveyor comprising front and rear sections freely pivotally connected on an upright axis between the trucks, means supporting the rear section of said conveyor on said main truck for free swinging movements relative thereto on an upright axis, positive thrust transmitting means for supporting and positioning the front section on said bolster and engaging the latter to enforce its participation in swinging movements of the section supported thereby, buckling of said sections about their pivotal connection being limited by said limiting means during forward propulsion by said main truck.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a main self-propelling truck, of a supplemental truck spaced from the main truck, :a :bolster freely pivoted to said supplemental truck on an upright axis, means limiting the swinging range of said bolster relative to said supplemental truck, a horizontally extending sectional conveyor comprising front and rear sections freely pivotally connected on an upright axis between the trucks, means supporting the rear section of said conveyor on said main truck for free swinging movements relative .thereto on an upright axis, positive thrust transmitting means for supporting and positioning the front section on said bolster and engaging the latter to enforce its participation in swinging movements of the section supported thereby, said last-named means providing for pivotal movement between the bolster and supported section on an axis extending transverse- 1y of the latter, buckling of said sections about their pivotal connection being limited by said limiting means during forward propulson by said main truck.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a main self-propelling truck,

of a supplemental truck spaced from the main truck, a bolster freely pivoted to said supplemental truck on an upright axis, means limiting the swinging range of said bolster relative to said supplemental truck, a horizontally extending sectional conveyor comprising front and rear sections freely pivotally connected on an upright axis, means supporting the rear section of said conveyor on said 'main truck for free swinging movements relative thereto on an upright axis, positive thrust transmitting means for supporting and positioning the front section on said bolster and engaging the latter to enforce its participation in swinging movements of the section supported thereby, said last-named means comprising a rib extending longitudinally of the bolster and an inverted cup-like member secured to the underside of said last-named section in transverse relation thereto and receiving said rib, buckling of said sections about their pivotal connection being limited by said limiting means during forward propulsion by said main truck.

" NILS D. LEVIN. 

